Bookmobile & Homebound

Bookmobile is currently providing socially distanced homebound delivery service. Call our office at 459-1031 for more information.  

The HOMEBOUND SERVICE is designed to bring the library to you if you are in a situation that makes it difficult or impossible to use the library yourself. Homebound service is free of charge for people whose access to the library is restricted because of age or disability.

We will visit you once each month on a regularly scheduled day to deliver new items and pick up your returns.

We personally select items from The Noel Wien Library’s full collection for you based on your stated interests and requests. We can place Inter-library loans in the event you would like an item that Noel Wien doesn’t own. Bookmobile staff will also do the work to answer your reference questions.

What we can deliver:

• Books, in both regular and large print
• Books on CD or Books on Player
• Music CDs
• DVDs (feature films, documentaries, television series and dramas, how-to, etc.)

Phone or email for more details, including eligibility guidelines for this service. We’ll schedule a time for an initial visit to your residence to discuss your library related needs.

What is the Talking Books Center?

The Alaska State Library Talking Book Center is a cooperative effort between the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Alaska State Library, and the Utah State Library to provide Alaskans who cannot read standard print with talking books and Braille service.

If you know someone who can use this free reading program — someone temporarily or permanently unable to read standard print — you can help that person fill leisure hours, continue studies, or just keep in touch with the world.

Talking books are available on loan with special playback equipment to eligible individuals. Any U.S. citizen or resident who cannot hold a book or read standard print can apply to borrow these materials. Books, magazines, and playback equipment are mailed postage-free directly to the borrower.

Taken from the Talking Books website: talkingbooks.alaska.gov:

How can Bookmobile Staff help with Talking Books?

We can assist eligible individuals by providing an application and also helping to fill it out. We can both certify and submit the application.

If a Talking Books participant needs hands-on assistance to learn to use the player and digital books, Bookmobile Outreach Services staff can set up an appointment to visit them to help them get started and to make sure they understand how the program works.

Phone or e-mail the Bookmobile office to request help for yourself or someone you know who may benefit from the Talking Books program. Don’t hesitate to leave a recorded message; we are frequently out of the office. Simply include your name and phone number and we will call you back to set up an appointment to visit and assist you.

BOOKMOBILE & HOMEBOUND SERVICES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is there a cost for participation in Bookmobile or Homebound Services?
No, the service is free. 

Do I need a library card to check out items from the Bookmobile or to receive home delivery?
Yes.

Who can get a library card?
Any person 18 years of age or older residing or owning property within the Fairbanks North Star Borough is eligible for a free card and/or may sign as the parent or legal guardian for a minor age 6 to 17.

Can I get a library card from the Bookmobile?
Yes. We will help you fill out an application and will issue your card. Government issued photo ID, verification of mailing address, and proof of date of birth are required in order to obtain a library card. 

What materials are on the Bookmobile?
We carry a variety of items for children, young adults and adults: Books, Audio Books (on CD), music CDs, and DVD’s all in both fiction and non-fiction categories. The selections on the Bookmobile include new items each month; we pull all materials from the Noel Wien Library’s full collection in order to fill the Bookmobile with a constantly rotated, fresh variety.
**We also carry a selection of free paperbacks and magazines.

What can I borrow?
Visitors to the Bookmobile may borrow any of the materials we have on board, plus you may request specific items from the library’s collection and we will bring them to you.

How long is the checkout period for Bookmobile materials?
 All items checked out from the Bookmobile have the due-date set as the date of our next visit to the home or outlying area – it is approximately one month.

Can I renew items?
Yes. As long as there are no holds on the item(s), you may renew. Just phone us in the Bookmobile office, 907-459-1031, a few days before we are due to visit you and we will let you know if the item is eligible for renewal.

How can I place a hold on an item?
You can telephone our office at 907-459-1031, email at the email address below or simply tell us when we visit you. We will place the hold(s) and deliver the item(s) to you on the day of your scheduled visit.

How do I find the schedule for the Bookmobile?

•  Our outlying areas schedule can be found on this site, under the Bookmobile tab.
• Bookmarks and flyers are available at the main library’s circulation desk with our outlying schedules on them.
• Alternatively, you may phone our office, 907-459-1031, for the schedule or email using the email at the end of this document.  

Do you visit nursing homes, assisted living homes, or senior apartments?

Yes. Currently, we visit residents at Eagle Wings, the Pioneer Home, and Denali Center. We also make deliveries to Southall Manor, MLH Manor, Golden Towers, Golden Ages, and Moore Street Apartments.    

What services are available for homebound patrons?
We visit homebound patrons once each month on a regular schedule with a bag of the patron’s desired materials. During that visit, we pick up returns and chat about what to bring in the future. Patrons often make requests for new items during this monthly visit but are also welcome to request via e-mail or over the phone at any time.

How can I sign-up for Homebound Services?
Phone our office, 907-459-1031, to request the service. We will schedule an initial visit to determine your eligibility, issue a card if necessary, and discuss what you’d like us to bring to you. After that, we’ll put you on our regular schedule for deliveries and plan to see you monthly with new library items.

Does the Bookmobile continue service through the winter months?
Yes. We cancel only when temperatures drop to -30 degrees Fahrenheit and lower or if road conditions pose a safety hazard. 

Can I place Inter Library Loans through the Bookmobile?
Yes. 

Can I return items checked out from the Bookmobile to one of the other libraries?
Yes. You may return items either to the Noel Wien Library or to the North Pole Branch.

Alternatively, you may return items checked out from either of those libraries to the Bookmobile.

Bookmobile@fnsb.gov

(907) 459-1031